Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West Ethiopia
Soil loss is a major environmental challenge that poses serious risks to ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity. This, in turn, affects social, economic, and ecological systems, particularly in mountainous areas like Ethiopia. This study aimed to analyze the amount of annual soil lo...
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Sustainable Environment |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2025.2464402 |
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| author | Abdeta Tolassa Fayisa Wondafrash Genet Degu Ajay Babu Gangidi Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda |
| author_facet | Abdeta Tolassa Fayisa Wondafrash Genet Degu Ajay Babu Gangidi Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda |
| author_sort | Abdeta Tolassa Fayisa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Soil loss is a major environmental challenge that poses serious risks to ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity. This, in turn, affects social, economic, and ecological systems, particularly in mountainous areas like Ethiopia. This study aimed to analyze the amount of annual soil loss within the Gulufa watershed of Dabus sub-basin using the integration of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model and geospatial technologies. The results indicate that there is a rise in mean annual rainfall, which significantly contributed to high erosivity value. Of the five stations in the study area, Kiltu Kara and Mendi exhibited the highest R-factors, measuring approximately 1772.86 and 1068.67, respectively, whereas Begi had the lowest R-factor at 706.66. The highest mean annual soil loss recorded across the 13 sub-watershed was 35 tons ha−1 year−1 in Koto, while the lowest was found in the Aba Luba sub-watershed; which had an average annual soil loss of 8.3 tons ha−1 year−1. Results indicate that the estimated annual soil loss ranges from 0 to 439.22 tons ha−1year−1 with the mean annual soil loss of 21.24 tons ha−1year−1. The findings suggest comprehensive planning for soil and water conservation, which is essential to mitigate the possible effects of soil erosion on environmental sustainability and societal well-being. The findings further highlight the critical need for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to alleviate the effects of soil erosion. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5884e53ddf5f4035b62387bb355f2e45 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2765-8511 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
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| series | Sustainable Environment |
| spelling | doaj-art-5884e53ddf5f4035b62387bb355f2e452025-08-20T02:30:28ZengTaylor & Francis GroupSustainable Environment2765-85112025-12-0111110.1080/27658511.2025.2464402Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West EthiopiaAbdeta Tolassa Fayisa0Wondafrash Genet Degu1Ajay Babu Gangidi2Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda3Department Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Wollega University, Gimbi, EthiopiaDepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaDepartment of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaDepartment of Natural Resources Management, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Jimma University, Jimma, EthiopiaSoil loss is a major environmental challenge that poses serious risks to ecological sustainability and agricultural productivity. This, in turn, affects social, economic, and ecological systems, particularly in mountainous areas like Ethiopia. This study aimed to analyze the amount of annual soil loss within the Gulufa watershed of Dabus sub-basin using the integration of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model and geospatial technologies. The results indicate that there is a rise in mean annual rainfall, which significantly contributed to high erosivity value. Of the five stations in the study area, Kiltu Kara and Mendi exhibited the highest R-factors, measuring approximately 1772.86 and 1068.67, respectively, whereas Begi had the lowest R-factor at 706.66. The highest mean annual soil loss recorded across the 13 sub-watershed was 35 tons ha−1 year−1 in Koto, while the lowest was found in the Aba Luba sub-watershed; which had an average annual soil loss of 8.3 tons ha−1 year−1. Results indicate that the estimated annual soil loss ranges from 0 to 439.22 tons ha−1year−1 with the mean annual soil loss of 21.24 tons ha−1year−1. The findings suggest comprehensive planning for soil and water conservation, which is essential to mitigate the possible effects of soil erosion on environmental sustainability and societal well-being. The findings further highlight the critical need for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders to alleviate the effects of soil erosion.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2025.2464402ConservationLand use land cover changeGulufa WatershedRUSLE modelSoil loss tolerance |
| spellingShingle | Abdeta Tolassa Fayisa Wondafrash Genet Degu Ajay Babu Gangidi Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West Ethiopia Sustainable Environment Conservation Land use land cover change Gulufa Watershed RUSLE model Soil loss tolerance |
| title | Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West Ethiopia |
| title_full | Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West Ethiopia |
| title_fullStr | Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West Ethiopia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West Ethiopia |
| title_short | Soil loss estimation using RUSLE model and geospatial technologies in Gulufa Watershed, Dabus Sub-basin, West Ethiopia |
| title_sort | soil loss estimation using rusle model and geospatial technologies in gulufa watershed dabus sub basin west ethiopia |
| topic | Conservation Land use land cover change Gulufa Watershed RUSLE model Soil loss tolerance |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/27658511.2025.2464402 |
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